"The best racing announcer is..."

[JohnBM01]

Who are some of the best announcers in racing coverage? A great racing announcer has to be one to make a race more entertaining from start to finish. He or she has to know the business and even throw in a good laugh or two. Maybe a great announcer kind of shares the same viewpoints as you. So nominate some of your favorites.

As the author of the thread and a voice that counts along with yours, I will begin.

I think here in America, I have two favorites. One is Bob Varsha, the other is David Hobbs. First, Bob. Bob Varsha is very entertaining and insightful. I think he understands racing very well and shows nothing less than 100% in all of his coverage. On WindTunnel last week, his phone interview with Dave Despain (look on "The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2004" thread for the full interview), I agreed a lot about why he loves Le Mans and the history and passion that goes into this race. I admire him, I guess you can say.

David Hobbs is like Bob Varsha. David recently had his 65th birthday, and I think he knows a lot about racing. His Formula One coverage (the F1 I actually watch) features witty commentary, but can trace back to the early years of Formula One and talk about almost any racing experience about and other than F1. Hobbs has, among others, 20 Le Mans starts. He never won the big race, but you can learn from him. Once is never enough for Le Mans. Just ask Derek Bell and Jacky Ickx.

So who makes racing entertaining? Any motorsport, any announcer. Reply now.

 

[Dorifto]

The two guys on Speed Channel that do the Formula One racing. David Hobbs and someone else.

 

[JohnBM01]

You mean Steve Matchett? Rick DeBruehl, or whom?

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

He may have left it a few years ago, but I'd have to say Murray Walker. Hours of fun listening to him screw up everything he says. Murray Screw ups

 

[Mike Rotch]

Martin Brundle - ITV F1 - is brilliant. Always knows what it on the boil, and as an ex-driver, has many insights into all the critical areas a commentator should cover.

The guy who does the WRC highlights package is also pretty good, but I am too lazy to find his name.

I heard some American commentary last year at the US GP. I dont know who it was, but they sounded like a bunch of idiots. I am sure "Mikey" Schumacher concurs...

 

[Race Idiot]

Martin Brundle - ITV F1 - is brilliant. Always knows what it on the boil, and as an ex-driver, has many insights into all the critical areas a commentator should cover.

The guy who does the WRC highlights package is also pretty good, but I am too lazy to find his name.

I heard some American commentary last year at the US GP. I dont know who it was, but they sounded like a bunch of idiots. I am sure "Mikey" Schumacher concurs...

Do you remember the last of the Murray years, he just kept getting so many things wrong. In WSBK or Moto GP, one or the other there is an Australian (I think he's Australian, I could be mistaken) bloke doing commentary, I dunno who he is but he's awesome. Brundle and James Allen took a little while to get used to, but I agree with my crotch. I've heard American commentary, it's err, umm, well I agree with my crotch again.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Steve Parrish (ex truck racer) does the WSBK commentary (I think - either that or MotoGP). He is quality too.

 

[Blake]

Ha, I love those Murray quotes.

Barry sheen has to have been one of the best commentators. But I like Bill Woods and Niel Crompton. Martin Brundle is also a very good commentator. But I really hate the American commentators.

 

[Solid Fro]

I like DW (Darrell Waltrip) from Fox's NASCAR coverage. Not only does he crack a joke once in a while, he is also extremely knowledgeable, and he still races on the NASCAR Truck circuit.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

when i seen this thread i immediately knew murray would be mentioned most. MW was the best ever commentator, and i miss him commentating on the races that Damon Hill was in. lol.

"There's been a shunt...IT'S HILL!!"

but MW, Barry Sheehan (how u spell it?) and currently Bill Woods (but he's getting annoying, hes a good commentator but he's like Eddie McGuire over here, hes EVERYwhere) lol

and the american and moto gp commentators would have to be the most pathetic.

 

[JohnBM01]

I like Darrell Waltrip for a guy who doesn't seriously follow NASCAR. Sometimes, just hearing him say "Boogity, boogity, boogity, boys! Let's go racing!" is just enough to get into the NASCAR racing mood. I don't think I've ever heard Murray Walker before, I'm afraid. For Speed Channel, Nicky Grist is the co-host for the rally action, alongside Ralph S. Leigh Diffey is pretty good with the sportscar coverage. The Australian is pretty young as well. I think he's in his early 30s.

Anyone else want to nominate good announcers?

 

[JohnBM01]

Good link, Drift! This junk is hilarious! Now I see why Gordon Murray was one of the best!

 

[Race Idiot]

Good link, Drift! This junk is hilarious! Now I see why Gordon Murray was one of the best!

Murray Walker, it's Murray Walker.

I'm pretty sure he's commentated on F1 programs longer than anyone else. The reason you've never heard him is because whoever bought the rights to the F1 in America probably thought that his commentary wouldn't be suitable for the target audience (ie Americans). Actually, a few years ago I remember he got driven by Martin Brundle around Silverstone in a two seater McLaren, now that's pretty impressive considering his age.

Nicky Grist does your WRC coverage? Werd.
I can't even remember who does it now, I know Tiff Nedel used to do it when it was on Channel 4, now they've moved the majority of Motorsports to ITV I think he's not doing it anymore.

 

[daan]

In WSBK or Moto GP, one or the other there is an Australian (I think he's Australian, I could be mistaken) bloke doing commentary, I dunno who he is but he's awesome.

Steve Parrish (ex truck racer) does the WSBK commentary (I think - either that or MotoGP). He is quality too.

Charlie Cox (& Steve Parrish) are the commentators for Moto GP. Charlie is Australian and used to race in the BTCC.

 

[Bollocks#999]

Muddly Talker gets my vote every time:tup:

Jeremy Shaw(CART) and John Smails(ARC) both did the on track commentary last year (2003) at the AUS GP and proved that they know SFA about F1, wankers the pair of them

Martin Brundle needs to lift his game, eg. Montreal GP when Klien and not Mark Webber ran over the back of DC, he continually said it was Webber untill Mark had the interview with Louise and said that it was his teammate that took him out after running over DC's left rear

Of the Aussies, Crompton I believe is the best with his sidekick Bill woods. What I like about Bill is the fact he doesnt pretend to know everything and will always go to Crompton for an expert opinion

And as someone mentioned earlier, you certainly couldnt forget "Bazza" with his no noncence approach and sometimes blunt commentary, Baz was always good for a laugh

 

[Blake]

Poor, "Bazza", sad end to a good career, both on and off the track.

 

[JohnBM01]

Sorry again. I wanted to say Murray Walker, but got it mixed up with McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray. Maybe I been around Code_kev too much (just joking)...

 

[Mike Rotch]

Murray Walker, it's Murray Walker.

I'm pretty sure he's commentated on F1 programs longer than anyone else.

I think he began F1 commentary in the late 50's or early 60's. He was the voice of F1, despite is gaffes. I wish James Allen would fall into a river or something. He is terrible. There will be a huge smash on-track, and he will be going on about "Da Matta is have a really great season, despite the slow start".

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

^LMAO

Barry was a legend, any commentator that calls it blunt gets my vote, unless their name is Alan Jones...

 

[Fogelhund]

I like Darrell Waltrip for a guy who doesn't seriously follow NASCAR. Sometimes, just hearing him say "Boogity, boogity, boogity, boys! Let's go racing!" is just enough to

.... make me instantly turn the channel, and wonder how in the world the TV got on that channel in the first place. Boogity, Boogity, Boogity? Hot damn, lets go shoot us some Possum', sose wes can have sum dinner, and I can take cousin Bertha out on a date.

 

[Sleek Stratos]

I can't quite remember the name of the guy who did CART in '99 and 2000, I think even 2001, but from what little BTCC Speed channel shows at the end of a year I know he does that series now. Always been a favorite of mine.
Jon Desborough used to do WRC a few years back, I'm pretty sure nobody can touch him when it comes to rallying.
Leigh Diffey is awesome.
Bob Varsha is by far the best American announcer I'd say, he's immaculate when he does the Behind the Headlights shows too. However Speed's Rick 'DeBabble' and Ralph 'Wiggum' are complete morons. Rick should find a job doing infomercials and Ralph should just stick to his precious Sprint cars and/or World of Outlaws.

I have great amounts of respect for Darrell Waltrip, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to analyzing NASCAR and its problems, plus he supports Toyota much to the antagonism of the fanbase. I remember in one of the Trackside shows when he plugged the auction of a Tundra of his, everyone started booing and hardly let him talk. So pathetic.

 

[JohnBM01]

So you agree with me on Leigh Diffey and Bob Varsha, Stratos? It seems like Murray Walker is the most popular favorite so far. As far as Darell Waltrip goes, even with the "Boogity" deal, it seems to me, I think it's supposed to be something like, "boogie," but added his own style.

A race can get pretty long and pretty dull, but for sure, someone has to cover the action. As far as Ralph goes, I remember back in 2001 (it was Speedvision then), WRC coverage was done by someone else before Raplh S. did it in the Speed Channel days. Maybe the only reason he's doing commentary in WRC because it's racing on "dirt." Maybe if we can get some female commentary, perchance we can nominate best FEMALE announcer. In the meanwhile, keep the discussiong going. Good show.

 

[Sleek Stratos]

Leigh and Bob are virtually all Speed channel has when it comes to actual racing, aside from Mr. Matchett and Mr. Hobbs, though even David has a few quirks, but he's pretty good for the most part.

Frankly I don't know how Ralph is doing currently, ever since Mexico Speed blacksout the WRC coverage on me. But I can watch the recaps on another channel anyway, and with British commentators too.
When Ralph first started it was like the nimrod kept screaming into the mic.

 

[kart racer]

Jackie Stewart did the Indy in the old days and with his knowlege of racing,it made everyone eles look . Chis Aconimaky(?) was one of the best color guys from america.And last is DW.Being a ex NASCAR driver gives him some great insight into the sport.He was one,if not, the first to push for the Hans device.Saftey has always been big to him.

 

[Victor Vance]

Darrell Waltrip does a fine job commentating. He almost always knows what he's talking about, and helps explain things to people new to the sport. Whatever he's doing, it's way better than what Benny Parsons has been doing during the second-half NBC telecasts. (ugh. That reminds me, after the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, the controls are once again handed to NBC. Crap.)

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

should have a poll.

 

[Solid Fro]

Argh, don't remind me, Victor Vance. The NBC announcers are horrible. They always seem to be talking about irrelevant crap when something important is happening, like position changes, pit stops, or even pile ups.

 

[JohnBM01]

However, Jimmy... I elected NOT to, and here's why. This is a topic I created to discuss any and all announcers of the past and present (and future, perhaps). There are way too many announcers in past and present, so it would be impossible to fill up a poll with as many names as possible. Everyone has a favorite. And keep in mind, I even wanted to invite racing announcers maybe none of us ever heard of. Perhaps there are good announcers in countries where we have not heard such people. So I think it's only fair that instead of making a poll with a lot of names while neglecting a few big names, I'd rather make you decide who's the best. After all, you're a racing fan like many of us others. You have your own likes and interests, and I hope you'll be able to share your favorites in such a thread like this.

So out of human interest, I elected not to go to a poll. Whether it's Bob Varsha, Murray Walker, Darrell Waltrip, Bob Jenkins, Paul Page, or whomever, you have a favorite. Let us know who's the best, even if others disagree. Any motorsport, any announcer. Reply on.

 

[Schrodes]

I think he began F1 commentary in the late 50's or early 60's.

Murray Walker started commentating F1 in 1949, before it was even called Formula 1. Murray gets my vote. Sure he had more than his fair share of stuff ups but you could always get the drift of what he was trying to say and have a good laugh at the same time.

Actually, a few years ago I remember he got driven by Martin Brundle around Silverstone in a two seater McLaren, now that's pretty impressive considering his age.

I remember he was taken on a "hot lap" of Bathurst by Peter Brock in 1997 in the Austin A30 Brock used to start his career. Murray was very excited.

Barry sheen has to have been one of the best commentators. But I like Bill Woods and Niel Crompton.

Neil Crompton is not bad because he knows what he is talking about. All the other commentators in Australia at the moment are useless. Truly appalling. The name Bill Woods shouldn't have come close to a mention in this thread. He is a news reader, not a commentator. Please don't mention Greg Rust either. I was just getting used to Mark Oastler when he called it quits. He only turns up to the big races these days. Give us back our Leigh Diffey!!!!!

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

oh Greg Rust....god yes!! jokin .

Viper, those commentators sound like cricket commentators, they will talk about some guys shoe for an hour, all the while replaying it every ball....and im not exaggerating lol.

and JohnBMO, i was kind of being sarcastic sorry.